Vacuum cleaning apparatus.



WIT/V SSES: I INVENTOR.

J. SGHIRRA. VACUUM CLEANING APPARATUS.

- APPLIGATION FILED MAY 10, 1911. 1,008,205.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' A TTQRNE 55,

Pafbented Nov. 7, 1 911.

J. SOHIRRA. VACUUM CLEANING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 10 PatentedNov. '7, 1911.

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2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

ATTORNEY PAEENT crates,

JULIUS SCI-HERA, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OE ONE-EIGHTH THENRY J. THOMAS AND ONE-FOURTH T0 GEORGE S. WILSON, BOTH 0F PITTSBURGH,

PENNSYLVANIA.

epecrfi'cation of Letters Patent.

VACUUM CLEANING- AEPAELATUS.

Patented Nov. 191 ll.

Application filed may 10, 1911. Serial E0. 626.214,

The'principal object of my invention is to provide a device of thischaracter adapted for hand manipulation and in which a maximum suctionand discharge action is provided with a relatively small flexibledevice.

Aturther object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter in which the flexible portion of the device is moved into andout of an annular member which carries the inlet and dischargecontrolling devices. the conformation of the flexible portion being suchas to permit the movable end to practically pass within the permanentannulus position at the opposite end when the device is collapsed, toprotect the flexible portion against damage.

A further objectis to provide a device of this character in which theinlet and discharge openings are positioned oft-center,

the device being provided with means whereby it may be removably orpermanently secured to'a support which is adapted to contact with thesurface to be cleaned.

Other and further objects of the invention are to provide a device ofthis character which is neat and attractive in appearance. durable inconstruction, simple and etiicientl in operation. which may be readilyattached to the handle of a household utensil, and which can bemanufactured at a relatively low ost.

To these and other ends. the natuieof which will be readily understoodas the invention is hereinafter disclosed, my invention consists in theimproved construction and combination of parts, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

To the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference charactersindicate similar parts in each of the views: Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a vacuum cleaner apparatus in which my invention forms a part, Fig. 2- is a central longitudinal sectional view of the parts shown inFig. 1, the bellows being shown in its expanded position, Fig. 3 is aview of a portion'ofthe parts shown in Fig. 2, with the bellowscollapsed, Fig. i is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 3,Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the lineV-V of Fig. 2, Fig. 6is a detail view of the intermediate supporting member for the bellows.-Fig. 7 is a view of the lower part of the suction device, and showingadifierent form of connection of the suction head and apparatus carrier.

The suction device shown herein is that employed in connection with theinvention disclosed in my companion application filed February 9th,1911, Serial No. 607,456, in which the device is shown in operativerelation to and as a cleaning attachment for a carpet sweeper, Fig. 7 ofthis application corresponding tot-he showing presented in saidcompanion application.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, the present invention comprises asuction device, a suction head, and a dust collecting device, thesuction device and dust collecting device being preferably arranged inpermanent combination, while the suction head is detachable, theparticular form of head employed being dependent upon the use to whichthe cleaning apparatus is to be put. For instance, the head shown inFig; 2 is adapted to be employed for cleaning small spaces, furniture,etc., while the head shown in my companion application heretoforereferred to. and a portion of the connections of which is shown in Fig.7, is adapted to be employed in connection with a carpet sweeper, theinlet to the suction device being arranged relativel to the point ofsupport of such device so as to permit the handle. where the latter is apart of a carpet sweep er, to be employed in connection with either typeof suction head.

The handle,-indicated at 10 and which 'forms the support for the suctiondevice, is

preferably rovided at its forward end with means for attaching'itto thecross brace of a carpet. six'ecpcr (not shown), the means llln' losldbeing? the threaded. projecting portion it.

The suction device, preferably in the form of a hollows collapsibleaxially is perinanently secured. adjacent to the forward end of thehandle by means ol an end cap 12, this cap being in the i'oriu of aplate l3 prefcrably slightly dish-s u and of circular contour, saidplate hcin provided with a cylindrical annulus l lsccisrcd to the platein any jjltfi'l lflltul niani'icr and. which projccts rearwardly fromthe plate suitable distance, and 'lorniing the support for the forwardend of the flexible bellows structure, the annulus being preferablyprovided with circannl ercntial beads 15. The plate 13 providedamiiroxiun'ite its center with an opening, and a. lorwarijlly extendingcylindrical projection i6 adapted to fit over the forward end of thehandle 10 and fixedly connected to the handle by suitable means such.

as a pin. 1?. Hold plate also provided with an inlet in the form ol. acylindrical projection 18 which is adapted to receive the connection"from the suction head, this inlet bcinc: arranged oil-center, thc portbeing; controlledL l valve 1), preferably a flap valve mounted on theinner face of the plate and adapted to close the port when the lwllowsis moved in one tlll'fitjl'lfiil. Said plate further provided with aprojection 30 having its lt'orward end provided with a configurationcolnplcinental to that carried by.

the open end of a dust collector 2i, preterably in the form of a bag,the connection shown. being by a screw threaded connection.

Zlhc outlet port provided by the projection 20, is adapted to be closedby a valve 22, preferably mounted on the outer face of the plate, butwhich may he obviously positioned at any point within the passagewayformed by the projection 20,

Q3 designates the Flexible portion of the suction device which ma Y beof any suitable material, and is prct'era ly circular and til pered fromits :lorivard end toward its rear end, as best shown in Fig. 2, the rearend being secured to an annular collar 24; having a configurationsomewhat similar to that of the end cap 12 but mounted to slide freelylongitiulinally of the handle, the annulus facing the annulus 14, saidcollar, however, being of less diameter than the end cap 12. Inasmuch asthe collaris adapted to be freely moved on the handle, I preferablyprovide a suitable packing within the collar and surrounding the handle,said packing being indicated conveniently at 25 being supported by thepart of the collar and movable with the collar longitudinally of thehandle, this packing being employed for the purpose of preventingmaterial leakage of air from the bellows Willi) the latter is beingcollapsed. Rubstantially midway of the length of the arrangement oiparts above described, it

will be 5. v seen that when the suction cerico in position shown Fig.2;, in. which the flexible portion or bellows 23 is shown as expanded,the collar will be positioned at its maximuni'distance from the end cap12, the bellows having its folds practically straightened out; thisposition is assumed attbc end of the suction opcration, the movement ofthe collar to this position providing the necessary suction for carryingthe dust and dirt into the interior of the suction device and by reasonof the metallic, annulus 14 located at the point of inlet to thisdevice, the heavier particles will not be liable to be carried into theflexible portion to any material extent, so that it the bellowscollapsed with the necessary formation or tolds therein, these heavyparticlcs will not in position to materially allcct the material of theflexible portion. A movement of the collar 24- toward the end cap '19.by the use of the sleeve 27, will cause the flexible portion togradually form in tolds on opposite sides of the spider 26, and willgradi-ially be moved into the space within the annulus to the positionshown in Fig. 3, the spider 26 practically passing in close proximity tothe inner face of the plate '13, with that portion of the bellowsbetween the spider and the end cap practi rally reversed, the wholegiving the appearance oi being turned inside out, the parts, hmvcvcr,being so positioned that the collar 24- lies entirely within the spaceformed by the annulus 14, practically carrying all of the flexibleportion within the end trap. This movement of the bellows has closed thevalve 19 and opened the valve 22, thereby carrying the material taken upthrough the suction head into the dust collectin bag or pocket. l/Vhenthe movement of t e collar 24; is again reversed to expand the bellows,that portion of the bellows in rear off the spider 26 first expandsuntil the spider is drawn out of the end cap the forward portion of thebellows being gradually drawn out after the spider has left its positionwithin such cap. This particular construction provides for a maximum.suction effect with a minimum length in the flexi le portion of thesuction device, the fact that the collar 24 passes entirely within theend cap,

providing an additional length 0t movementmore the suction device neednot be of excessive in cross section, the particular tapered shape ofthehellows with the ability to collapse to a position such as shown inbig. 3, rendering a relatively large cross sectional area unnecessary.

-\s heretofore pointed out, the suction device just described is thatdisclosed in my companion application above referred to, and thisconstruction permits of the employment of different types of suctionheads. T he type shown in my companion application is that including aflexible connection 28 which is simply slipped over the projection 18,as shown in Fig. 7, the carpet sweeper or other support for theattachment and to which the handle is firmly secured,

providing the necessary stability to the parts, the suction head beingcarried by the body of the carpet sweeper.

The construction of the suction head shown in the present drawingsdiflers from that disclosed in Fig. 7, in that the connection forthe'head is not flexible, being in the form of a tubular member 29 tothe forward end of which the suction head 30 is secured, the head havingthe member 31 positioned to axially alinc with the handle and adapted toextend over the projection 16 and acting as a continuation of thehandleto support the suction head. By this. construction it will be readilyseen that the suction device is applicable tor-use either with aflexible or non-flexible connection with the suction head, theparticular location of the inlet ability of the several types of headsand still provide the actual support by the forward end of the handle10.

The particular ability to place the parts in the collapsed positionshown and the relative y small size of the suction device with itsmaximum suction effect are positive advantages resulting from theconstruct on shown; in addition, specific advantages have heretoforebeen pointed out.

While l have herein shown and disclosed one way in which my in entionmay be carried into eflect, I am aware that changes and modificationstherein may be necessary to meet the various exigencies of use, and Ireserve the right to make. any and all such changes and modifications asmaybe found necessary in -so iar they may fall within the spirit: andscope of the invention as hereinafter pointed out in the claims.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new is:- I

1. In vacuum cleaning apparatus, a saction device and a support. saiddevice having ".t-z' 0" end stzhstantially-r"rid and percured to the supv and also r l movable longitudinally ==d portions. ha ing d movable endand flexible connection, when the device is col-' lapsed, being housedwithin the forward end portion.

2. In vacuum cleaning apparatus, a suction device and a support, saidsupport extending axially of said device, said device having its forwardend substantially-rigid and permanently secured to the support, and alsohaving its other end movable longitudinally of the support, said endportions having a flexible connection, said movable end and flexibleconnection, when the device is collapsed, being housed within theforward end portion. I i

3. In vacuum cleaning apparatus, a suction device and a support, saidsupport extending axially of and t-hroughsaiddevice, said device havingits'forward end substantially-rigid and permanently secured to thesupport, and also having its other end movable longitudinally of thesupport, said end i portions having a flexibleconnection, said movableend and flexible connection, when the device is collapsed, beinghoused'within the forward end portion. I 4. In vacuum cleaningapparatus, a suction device and a support, said support extendingaxially of said device, said device having a substantially-rigidcup-shapedforward endfpermanently secured to the support, a flexiblemember secured to the face ot the wall of said fOI'WflId I1d,flI1d asubstantially-rigid end mounted to slide longitudinally of said supportto which the other end of'said flexible connection is connected, saidmovable end and flexible. connection being housed within the cup-shapedend when the device is collapsed.

'5. In vacuum cleaning apparatus, a suction device and a support, saidsupport ex tending axially of said device, said device havingasubstantially-rigid cup-shaped forward end permanently secured to thesupport, a. flexible member secured to the face of the wall of'sa'idforward end, and a substantially-rigid end mounted to slidelongitudinally of said support to which the other end of said flexibleconnection is connected,

a supporting device. secured to said flexible connection'within andintermediate the ends of said. connection, said movable end, theflexible connection and said supporting device, being housed within thecup-shaped end when the suction device is collapsed.

6. In vacuum cleaning apparatus, a suetion device and a support, saidsupport extending axially of said device, said device having its forwardend secured to the support, said end carrying inletand outlet ports,sair' inlet port being positioned off-center.

7. in vacuum cleaning apparatus, a suc tion device and a support. saidsupport extending axially of said device and projecting forwardlv beyondthe forward end of said dovice and adapted to connect the device to 130a c1 21 flexible connect-i011 and. support. extending end ens, Mmforward end approznmutelv cup-shaped and meter than other and par- 25secured, t0 said portion being rt, said. 37 t .B @1161 so I d 5116z'nevamble Qsed Within the cupdevice is 001 u uzliOn Mull;

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